In the battle for global influence, all sides have their jargon. The US and allies talk of the "rules-based international order" (RBIO). Russia and China prefer a "multipolar" world. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India's astute foreign minister, recently split the difference by talking about the need for a "multilateral rules-based international order".

For the west, the RBIO underpins peace and stability. It demands respect for territorial integrity and international law, and the protection of minorities, small nations, democratic norms and the global trading system.